Machine for cleaning fibers.



A. W. MONTGOMERY.

MACHINE POR CLEANING FIBERS.

APPLIGATION FILED Nov. 24, 190s.

910,46. l Pavend Jan. 19, i909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A. W. MONTGOMERY. MACHINE FOR'GLEANING FIBERS. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 24, 1905.

Patented Jan. 19, w09.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

D @.3 mf@ ALPHEUS lil. MONTGOMERY, OF NEW YGRK, Y.

I MACHINEFOR CLEANING .EIBER.

Y ne. 910,406.

Application led November 24, 12565.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that l, ALrnnUs Woons ltlonroonnRY7 a citizen of the United States, r residing 1n the borough of Queens, county of Queens, city and State ofNewfrork, have -invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Machines for 'Cleaning Fibers, of which the following is a specification. 'lhis invention relates to machinery for cleaning or decorticating iibers, more espe cially such as banana bers, or others of that character.

The object of the invention is lto provide ,improved mechanism whereby tie stalks or stems Will-be subjected,"first to a crushing action by suitable means, such as rolls pref- 'erably tinted and oppositely driven, and

which will act also as feeding rolls and ad- Vance the article to the subsequent scrapmg mechanism of the machine. l he stalk will vbe further treated by a scraping process by suitable cooperating mechanism located beyond the crushing mechanism; this scraping mechanism being driven at a surface speed greater than that of the crushing rolls, and may consist, as herein shown of suitably arranged cooperating blades or scraping knives, whereby the soft andrpul'py portions of the stems or stalks, that have been somewhat disintegrated by the crushing mechanism, will be Worked oil' and separated from the fibrous portion of the stalk.

A further feature of the present invention relates to the organization, with the mechanism for preliminary treatment of the stalks, such as crushing mechanism, and mechanism for subsequently scraping and cleaning the Apulpy material from the fibrous portion, of

supplemental cleaning mechanism located between the crushing mechanism or rolls, land the main scraping mechanism already mentioned. And incombination with such supplemental scraping mechanism, is rovided connec-:fting"meansv for so' contro ling the supplemental mechanism as to render the same inoperative at one stage of the process, and also to automatically bring the supplemental scraping mechanism into opera tive position at another stage in the o eration upon the same stalk or stem, where y to clean or scrape the rearward end of the stalk that is being fed through the machine; the remaining o'r `forward portion-of the stalk having beenfclxeaned by the previously mentioned advahcescraping mechanism operat- Specfieaton of'ILetters E'a'tent.

-tion on the line ,5 5 indicated in Fig. l.

keral rotary members.

Patented dan. 19, 290%.

ing in conjunction with the crushing mechanism, as has been set forth.

A'further feature of the present invention relates to mechanism for operating upon the stalk after its entire length has been subjected to the crushing and treating mcchanf isms, as hereinbefore set forth and removing therefrom the pulpy or cellulose portion, which may be accomplished by directing one or more streams of water onto 'the stalks Whilebeing conveyed along upon-a conveyor provided with suitable openings through which the particles of pulp will be forced, permitting the iibrous portion of the stalk to continiie along the conveyer. '.hereupOn, the iibrous portions are somewhat condensed by being caused to pass through a conductor somewhat hopper-shaped and then ce through or between a suitable pair of rollers. rlhe condensing action in the hopper may be ars-- sisted by directing jets of 'air from each side whereby the fibers are moved toward the middle portion. include means for" removing the moisture from iib'ers, and the air .blasts directed into the hopper may furnish air suitably heated which will both condense the iiber and rcmove moisture therefrom.

ln the accompanying drawings, illustrating an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 shows part of the machine in side elevation. Fig. is a vertical section through the crushing and supplemental cleaning mechanisms, showing the operation upon,a stalk at an intermediate stage. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the treatment cfa stalk at a later stage. Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the machine. F ig. 5 is a vertical sec- Fig. 6 is an elevational vieu7 showing the forward end of the machine. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the forward portion of the machine; and Fig'. 8 is a detail of the forwaifd scraper.

The main frame A of the machine is pro vided with sets of stanlzlards arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the machine for supporting and guiding for vertical move mont, the bearings of the shafts for tho sev- At the front of the machine, adiacent a suitable feeding table B, are arranged the pair of initial crushing` rolls 7 and 8, that are preferably iluted as shown in Fig. 2i Beyond thc/soglia, may be provided additional llutcd crushing rolls if desired, one pair-ef'.v rolls 9 and l0, and another rl he latter portion may alsopair oi rolls 11 and 12l bein shown, with ltheir engaging portions in su stantially the same horizontal plane as that of the crushing rolls 7 and 8. These supplemental crushing rolls may be arranged with the lower roll having its shaft bearing stationary, while the bearing blocks of the upper roll of each of.

these pairs may be movable vertically in the uprights and normally pressed against the lower rolls by suitablesprings 14.

Beyond the sets of crushing rolls is arranged a scrapinglor cleaning mechanism,

denoted generally by C,- and which is shown' also pass over a suitable guide wheel 18 if desired.' The wheels are arranged in pairs on suitable shafts 19 and 20, and carry two such chains 15; and across between the parallel chains extend bars 21. These bars are free to rotate'and each carries a pair of scrciping plates 22.- The chain member is gui( ed between. the' spur wheels 16 and 17 adiacent the up er chain by means of suitable dogs 2.3 on t ie end of eac-hof the bars 21 that engage and slide along suitable guide strips 24 as shown in Fig. 5. By this means, the scraping plates 22 are caused to travel at a fixed 'angle during o eration as indicated in F ig. 1, wherein it wil be seen thatv the ends -of alternato plates travel in the same plane,

giving wavy effect to the stalk pressed thereon by the upper chain member.

The member coperating with this lower belt member, comprises a pair of chain members 25 passing around spur wheels 26 and 27. apaii of each being mounted on shafts 28 and 29 respectively. These chains are connected by suitable cross bars 30, each of which carries a bla-de 31 and also carries dogs 32 engaging a suitable guide plate 33, whereby the chain member will operate to cause the blades 31 to travel adjacent .to the blades 22 of the lower, chain, and preferably alternate therewith for giving a wavy effect to the The shaft 20 may be positively l stalk. driven by a chain 34 from a gear 35 on the shaft 36. And the shaft 29 of the upper chain member may be driven by a gear 37 thereon, meshing with asimilar gear 38 fast 0n the shaft 20; the chain members being thereby driven at an equal surface speed. The crushing rolls are driven from! the shaft 36 by suitable gear connections so, that their surface'speed relative to that of 'the scraping mechanism C, just described, will be much slower, it being found practicable to have the Surface speed of the endless chain members oit the scraping mechanism about ten times siones more or less tbatof. the surface speed oi the crushing rolls, or at least that of the initial crushing rolls 7 and 8.

In the machine set forth, a pulley 40 is driven from any suitable source of power.

The pulley 4,0 as shown in F ig. 3 drives a pinion 42 fast on shaft 36, meshing with a gear 43 and the gear L18 engages with a gear 44", fast on the shaft of the lower' crushing roll 11,-and also meshes with a gear 46 fast on the shaft of the crushing roll 9. A gear 46 meshes with the gear 45, and also with a gear 47 fast on the shaft of the initial crushing roll 7, whereby the latter is driven. As set forth in Fig. 1, the lower crushing roil 7 drives its companion roll 8 by means of gears 48 and 49;,the lower crushing roll 9 drives the roll 1 0 by means of gears 50. and 51 and the lower crushing roll 11 drives its compan ion roll 12 by means of gears 524 and 58, all of which gears are fast on the shafts of the respective rolls, and are provided with elonnot disengage them.

With the mechanism already set forth, a stalk being fed into the crushing rolls and thereby passed along into engagement with the scraping mechanism C, will be scraped by the latter as long as it is in engagement with the crushing rolls, because of the greater surfacespeed of the scraping means. But after the stalk leaves the final crushing roll or rolls, it will be merely advanced, and to a certain extent perhaps compressed, by the scraping means for` the remainder of its length, because 'it has now no; retarding means necessary to cause theV scraping action. 'lhat is, the length of the stalk e ual to the distance from the last crushing rol to the scraping device C, will not receive the scraping operation in the device C, to which the other portion of the stalk has been subjected.' 'lo obviate this deficiency, supplemental scraping means ormembers are lo cated between the scraping mechanism C, and the crushing rolls or sets of rolls. In the present instance, a pair of rotary scraping members 60 and 61 are mounted between the frame sides and comprise essentially radially arranged scraping blades 62 mounted on suitable shafts 63 and 611. rlhe shaft 63 hasa gear 65 fast thereon, meshing with a larger gear 66, fast oirtlie shaft of the lower crushing roll 11. And the lower rotary 'scraping member 60 is driven from the upper scraping member by means of engaging gears 67 and 68 fast on' the shafts 63 and 64 respectively of these members. rlhe drivingv gear 66 for the rotaryscrapers being larger than gear 65, causes these members to ict s mees initial. ciiishing rolls 7 and 8 are iii-engagement with a stalk, and .which meohanism,

- when the stalk has been advanced beyond.

Cir

'scraping members in an opposite direction the initial crushing rolls will be brought into operative position to treat a stalk passing therebetween.

In Figs. l to 3 is shown a connecting mech- -anism whereby the relative separation of the rolls 7 and 55 causes a separation ofthe rotary sorapers and 6i., and the re approach of the crushing rolls and 8 br the rotaryiserapers into operative pos` to treat a stalk. @ne of the initial crushing rolls is reciproeated by Connecting rods pivoted to levers or beams 7 @suitably pivote-d on arms 7i, which levers, through suitable connecting rods, move one of the rotary to that of the crushing rolls. The lower crushing roll 7 may have its shaft mounted in fixed bearings, while the bearings for the sliaif` of the upper crushing roll 8L may be attachee to the connecting rods 72 pivoted to the levers 70. Each connecting rod 72 is normally forced downward by a spring 7S tending to retain these crushing rolls in engagement. The upper rotary scraper 61 has the bearings ofxitsl shaft iXed in frame A, while the bear- "ingsior the shaft 64 of the lower rotary to connecting rods 74,

scraper are vertically Y Whose upper ends are pivoted to the levers 70. By thisconnecting mechanism, it will be seen that the springs 173 normally ret .he rolls 7 and 8 and also 'the rotary sore." -0 and 61, in engaging positions. Upon a stalk being fed in between the crushing rolls 7 and 8, they will be separated, as shown inlig. 2, and serve to advance the fk nd the same 'time crush it. This sep ion' of these crushing rolls by the movement upward ot the roll S, will, through the bei nechanism, cause a downward moi ment of 'the lower scraping mem- 1'30, which will bring it out ot' operative position, as shown in .Fig 2; and the stalk will pass freely between' the scrapers into :engagen'ient withL the advance 'scraping 'mechanism C. But when the stalk shall have advanced beyond the initial crushing rolls 7 and 8 as shown in Fig'. 3, the spring 73 will at once bring these rolls together by low* ering the upper roll 8, which operation, through the connecting mechanism, will return the lower scraper tovoperative posiltion as 4Ishown in this figure: Vvlhenfthe ad- Vance of the stalk by the movement of the advance scraping mechanism C, is n i longer retarded `by the slower movement-f of th crushing rolls, this mechanism C,will aet practicallyas a conveyor to adviance the 'stalk at ils surface speed,- and since lsuch s rrface speed is much greater .than that of. he

lrotaryscraping members 50 and `filfthese latr. members now beingin ...operaties pesi' movable and attached tion, will serve to scrape the rear end portion of the stalk, that otherwise wouldhave been advanced throughcthe final scraping means C, 'without the desired scraping treatment.

Just beyond thel delivery portion of the scraping member C, on a suitable portion of lthe frame A, is arranged a horizontal perforated carrier member that may comprise a chain beit il. The links of this belt are separated to form a number of open spaces through which the pu l portion of the stellt may driven by s ina ns of water directed upon the stal while passing along this chain member. chain belt l) is supported on lhe rollers and 76, the latter serving to drive the belt, and being driven by a chain 7 7 from the shaft 20. A series ofpipes 78, .extend transversely across the belt member D from a pipe 7 9 and each of the pipes 78 are provided with nozzles directed toward the member D. As the stalk passes along over this moving belt member, streams of water from the nozzles 80 impinge on the stalk and cause the pulpy portion to pass downward through the openings d in the belt member.

Upon the stalk leaving the beltmember D, it is passed into a somewhat hopper-shaped member E that serves tocondense the iibrous stalk, and leads it between a pair of rollers Sl and 82. These rollers are driven from the shaft 75 by means of a chain 90. In this member E, the stalk is made more narrow before passing between the rolls an such action is assisted by means of a blast of air being directed on each side through suitable pipes S3 and that lead inward at each side of the member E. 'lhe pipes S3 and Se oonnect with a feed pipe Vthrough suitable pipes 86 and S7,

it' desired; heated air from any suitable source, may be furnished to the pipes 83 and 84, by which means the -fiber is dried at the same time thatit is condensed int-o a more compact form.

`vthile the stalk is passing between'the two chains of the scraping-member C, the pulp and 'liber-will have a certain. tendency to adhere to the blades of the chain members especially to the blades of vthe lower member. 'lo loosen the pulp and iiber from such blades,

lio

blasts may be directed upon the blades, and

of air for the-nozzles 83 and 84 ofthe member E.

Having thus .described my invention, .I Jclaim:

. sienne l. in a ber treating machine, the combi'- nation of crushing means, scraping means arranged beyond the cruslnng means, supplemental scraping means arranged lbetween the crushing means andv the said scraping means, chanism connecting the crushing means with the supplemental scraping means arranged to retain the supplemental scraping s out of operative position while the stall; is engaged by the vcrushing means, and to hold the supplemental scraping means in operative position when the stalk is not engaged by the crushing means, and actuating mechanism arranged to operate the second scraping means at a surface speed greater E than that of the supplemental scraping means.

2; ln a fiber treating machine, thc combi nation of crushing means, scraping means arranged beyond the crushing means, supplemental scraping means arranged between the crushing means and the said scraping means, mechanism connecting the crushing means with the supplemental scraping means arranged, to retain the supplemental scraping means out of operative position while the stalk is engaged by the crushing means, and to hold the supplemental scraping means in operative position when the stalk is not engaged by the crushing means, and actuating mechanism arranged to operate the supple- 1 mental scraping means at a surface speed greater than that of the crushing means and to operate the other scraping means at a surface speed greater than that oi" the supplemental scraping means.

3. ln a fiber treating machine, the combination of crushing means, scraping meags ar- I operative position when the stalk is not en-A gaged by the crushing means, actuating mechanism arranged to operate thc second scraping means at a surface speed greater than that .of the supplemental sera ing means, and one4 or more sets of crus ing Vmeans arranged Ibetween the said crushing means and the supplemental scraping means.

4. In a iibertreating machine, the combinationnoi a pair cf'crushing rolls, one of' the rolls being movable to and from the other roll, stalk scraping means, a pair of rotary scraping members arranged between the said crushing rolls and said scraping means, one of the rotaryscraping .members being mov-- able to and' lrom the other member, mechanisni connec'ting the movable crushing roll with the movable rotary scraping member whereby lmovable to cause their apprcac Aarranged beyond the rotary scraping n" yond the scraping rolls, one of the crushing the recession and approach ci the crushing roll will cause the apprcacb. and recession respectively of the rotary scraping member, means for .retaining 'the rctary crushing and scraping members normally together, and actuating means arranged te operate the said scraping means at a snriace speed greater than that of the rotary ser ing members.

5. ln fiber treating machine, cemm bination ci" a pair of crnshii f rolls, one oi rolls being movable to and from the other roll, scraping mechanism arranged beyond the crushing rolls and comprising endless chain members carryingfblades arranged te scrape and also advance an article passed; therebetween, a pair of rotary scrapirg members arranged between the said crushing y rolls and said scraping mechanism, one of the rotary scraping members being movable to and from the other member, mechanism connecting the movable crushing roll with the movable rotary scraping member whereby the recession and approach of the crushing roll will cause the approach and reccssien respectively of the lrotary scraping member, means for retaining the rotary crushing and scraping members normally together5 and actuating means arranged to operate the said scraping mechanism at a surface' speed greater than thatv of the rotary scraping members.

e, ln a iiber treating machine, the combination of crushing means, scraping means beyond the crushing means, supplemental. scraping means arranged in 1med are of said crushing and scraping means, and conu nections between the crushing means and the supplemental scraping means arranged to retain the supplemental scraping means out of operative position while the 'iber is enlili) 'gaged by the crushing means.

the comel 7. In a iber'treating machine relatively 7 bination of a pair ci crushing r lls sien, means for rotating said rsi rotary scraping members beyoi i ing4 rolls and relatively movable to ,ce their approach and recession, scraping me:

bers, means for causing the approach cession. of the crushing rolls to eiiect a recession and approach respectiveiy ci the rotary scraping members, actuating mechanism ranged to operate the rotary scraping 'inemA bers at a surface speed greater than that the crushing rolls, and also arranged tc opcrate the scraping means at a surface speed greater than that 'of the rotary scraping members.

8. ina ber treating machine, the com bination of a pair -oi crushing rolls, a pair er rotary scraping members beyond the crnsl.m ing rolls, scraping mechanism arranged beconnecting `rolls being movable to and pivoted levvers c roll, one ci the rotary scraping n ing movable and rom the oth l" lied by the frame of the machine, connecting rods between the nr` able crushing roll and the ends of said leve rods between the other ends ci' said levers and the movable scraping ber, and a spring arranged to normally 're-- tain the crushing rolls together and scraping members out of operative'pcsition.

9. In a ber treatin machine, the combination of a pair of crus ing rolls, a pair of rotary scraping members arranged beyond the crushing rolls,ysc'raping mechanism arranged beyond the rotary scraping members and comprising endless belt members carrying blades arranged to sera e and also to advance an article passed t erebetween, one of the crushing rolls being movable to and from the other roll, one of the rotary scraping members being movable to and from the other'member, pivoted levers carried by the frame of themachinefconnectin rods between the movable crushing rol and the ends of said levers, connecting rods between the other ends of said levers and the movable I' scraping member, a spring arranged to normally 4retain the crushing rolls together and rotary scraping members out of operative position, supplemental crushing rolls located between said crushing rolls and said rotary scraping members, and actuating mechanlsm arranged to operate the rotaryscraping members at a surface speed greater than that of the crushing rolls, and arranged tov operate the said scraping mechanism at a surface speed greater than that of the rotary scraping members.

' 10. In a ber treating machine, the combination of a pair of crushing rolls, a pair of scraping rolls beyond the crushing rolls, scraping mechanismy arranged be ond the scraping rolls and comprising end ess chain members carrying blades arranged to scrape and also to advancey an article assed therebetween, one of the crushinggrollls being movable to and from the Otheiroll, one ofL the scraping rolls being movable to and from the other scraping roll, a pivoted lever carried by at'on with mean 11,. J; stain, or con e ranged to receive the and direct it between said r i for directing a stream of a i f the hopper to condense the compact form,

l2, ln a ber treating mac bination with crushing mechant o; scraping mechanism comprising en Less chain members carrying blades and means for directing one or more streams of air through the lowerof said endless membersu i8. ln a fiber treating machina-the combination with crushing mechanism, of scraping mechanism comprising endless cham members carrying blades, means for directing one or more streams of air through one of said endless members, a conveyor arranged to receive tbe stalk from said scraping meehanism and provided with openings therethrough, means tor removing the non-iibrous partielles through the openings in said conveyer, and means for receiving tbe ber from.

LPHEUS "Wg MONTGOMERY.

Witnesses:

, El. E. Boron,

WILLIAM H. 

